Hi Janeanne
Have a look at the August monthly challenge thread. I have participated in the monthly challenges for the past year and it has helped enormously to keep me motivated. I’ve now reached my goal weight but will continue to login daily to the challenge as I get to grips with maintenance as I need the company of others following 5:2. Lots of people there to answer queries and offer support.

Hi Janeanne, I fast more for health than weight loss. While I have been losing about 3kg/year on this eating pattern, I don’t restrict my calories on feasting days, I eat until I’m comfortably full. However I do avoid refined sugar and most processed foods when I can.

Since I’m following 5:2 for health I typically water fast. I also find water fasting easier than just eating a little. Although now I do know of things I could eat that would hold me, I still want to maximize the benefits of the fast. As fasting goes 36 hours isn’t that long of a fast. It is enough though to get a lot of health benefits especially if it is done often as it is with 5:2. I also use exercise a lot and find the short fasts work really well with that. I recommend HIIT style workouts over long cardio, but I still do some cardio (running).

I’ve only been fasting for a little over two years, but the impact has been profound. I started my current journey over six years ago and that that point I was close to having one foot in the grave. Starting weight was 106kg, these days my weight is around 80kg. Every year my weight has been lower and my health better as my annual physical assessment. I openly discuss my diet and fasting with my doctor. About 10 years ago my doctor said I needed to go on drugs to manage blood pressure and other issues. I said no but asked for his help changing my life style. There were a lot of false steps but I’ve stayed off of drugs and all of my health issues I had are gone. I think if I has cut sugar and started fasting sooner that it would saved a lot of time!

So you see there are a lot of different types of people here. I do encourage you to join the monthly challenge threads and those tend to be the most supportive and you choose what your challenge is. You can join anytime.

I wish you well!

Hi, Janeann. In answer to your question about ‘diet jellies.’ I don’t recommend any ‘food’ product with the word “diet” in the name. Empty calories and fake sugar are just not a good idea. Real food and true flavors are the way to go.